The Secrets of Cumin in Weight Loss: How Cumin Can Make You Slim: It’s no secret that the best way to lose weight is to cut down on your caloric intake and increase the frequency of your workouts or exercises. Yet there are some people who turn to herbal products in hopes of speeding up their weight loss.

What if I tell you that there’s a particular spice that has been found a potent weight loss remedy? Cumin is a spice that is often used in Middle Eastern cuisine. It has a nutty and peppery taste.

Cumin looks unassuming. It also has a very funky smell, so many would be surprised to learn that it can have a positive impact on their health.

The Secrets of Cumin in Weight Loss

Health benefits of cumin

Packed with antioxidants and phytosterol, cumin is one nutritious spice. It can help the body fight free radicals and lower cholesterol levels. Phytosterol, in particular, prevents bad cholesterol from getting into the digestive tract. And being rich in antioxidants, cumin can aid in lowering the risks of cancer.

Cumin also has a high amount of iron, a mineral that can lower risks of anemia and promote a healthy immune system.

And of course, cumin can help you lose those unwanted fats fast.

How cumin aids in weight loss?

Numerous studies have shown that cumin not only significantly decreases body fat. It can also be very good at minimizing cravings, meaning you won’t likely be reaching for a mid-afternoon snack when you regularly use cumin in your dishes. Moreover, it can also improve one’s digestion.

Cumin has been shown to be effective in decreasing body fat. One study conducted by experts at Iran’s Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences showed that women who added cumin into their daily diet were able to achieve a decrease of more than 14 percent in their body fat percentage.

In the study, 88 overweight or obese women were randomly split into two groups. The two groups were given nutrition counseling for three months. Their daily caloric intake was also lowered by 500 calories.

How cumin aids in weight loss?

Yet one group was also eating 3 grams of cumin powder daily. The cumin was swirled into 5 ounces of yogurt. The control group, meanwhile, was prescribed yogurt but didn’t receive cumin.

At the end of the three-month study, those who took cumin lost 3 pounds more than those who didn’t receive the spice. The average weight loss of those in the cumin group was 13 pounds.

What’s more interesting was that the cumin group members posted a decrease in body fat percentage by nearly 15 percent. This was almost three times of the body fat loss by the control group. The researchers concluded that this was the addition of cumin.

Aside from decreasing body fat percentage, cumin is also effective in reducing cravings. This is due to its ability to balance blood sugar levels. Cumin can increase the way our bodies respond to insulin and glucose.

By managing blood sugar in check, cumin can decrease our body’s cravings for excess carbohydrates. It can also keep you feel full for a longer period.

I’ve also mentioned earlier that cumin is rich in phytosterols. This plant substance prevents cholesterol from being absorbed in the digestive tract which can also contribute to the weight reducing the effect of cumin.

Cumin can also enhance the function of the digestive system. The aroma coming from it activates salivary glands present in the mouth. This can get the digestive juices flowing, and jumpstart the digestion of food.

Cumin also has a compound called thymol that has been found to have an effect in the glands secreting acids and enzymes that promote digestion.

How to use cumin

How to use cumin

Now that you have learned the many ways that cumin promotes weight loss, I am sure that your next question is — how do I use this spice?

I am sure that you don’t want to mix cumin into plain yogurt just like what the Iranian researchers did in their study. Don’t worry; there are more appetizing ways to enjoy cumin.

One way to incorporate cumin into your diet is to add 1-2 teaspoons of ground cumin into a roasted vegetable recipe. Cumin is a good addition to veggie recipes with pumpkin, carrots, and squash.